Updated for 2025 with current visitor information and local insight

What Are the Warm Springs Pools?

The Warm Springs Pools in Warm Springs, Virginia, are historic soaking pools fed by naturally warm mineral springs and open year-round. Winter is one of the best times to visit, offering fewer crowds, a quieter atmosphere, and the unique experience of soaking in warm water while crisp mountain air surrounds you.

Located in Bath County, the Warm Springs Pools have drawn visitors for centuries in search of rest, relaxation, and renewal.

Are the Warm Springs Pools the Same as the Jefferson Pools?

Yes. The Warm Springs Pools were formerly known as the Jefferson Pools and were officially renamed following a major restoration completed by Omni Homestead Resort. You may still see both names referenced online, but they refer to the same historic site.

The pools reopened to the public on December 17, 2022, after a $4 million renovation that carefully preserved their historic character while updating facilities for modern use.

The pool buildings were restored to reflect their historic design as it existed in the early 20th century, offering an authentic soaking experience similar to what visitors would have enjoyed when the Homestead first acquired the pools in 1925.

A Sacred Place with More Than 9,000 Years of History

Originally discovered and used by Native Americans, the warm springs were long considered a sacred place. Archaeological evidence shows the pools have been used by humans for more than 9,000 years.

• The original octagonal stone basin was constructed in 1761
• In the early 1820s, a covered structure known as the Great Bath was built, featuring an oculus open to the sky
• Men and women soaked at alternating times, with a white flag raised when the pool was reserved for women
• In the mid-1800s, the Ladies’ Bath was built over a separate spring, with its current design dating to the 1870s
• The Great Bath later became known as the Gentlemen’s Pool

Thomas Jefferson visited the pools in August 1818, and for many years, guests were required to be under a physician’s care, often staying for a three-week “cure.”

Why the Warm Springs Pools Are Especially Appealing in Winter?

While the pools are open year-round, winter is a favorite season for guests seeking a quieter, more restorative experience.

During the off season, visitors often enjoy:

• Fewer crowds and a more peaceful atmosphere
• Easier access to preferred soaking times
• The contrast of 98–99°F water against cool mountain air
• A slower pace that pairs beautifully with a cozy overnight stay

For many travelers, a winter soak becomes the highlight of a calm, unhurried Bath County getaway.

What Makes the Warm Springs Pools Unique?

The Warm Springs Pools maintain:

• A constant natural temperature of approximately 98–99°F
• A continuous flow of approximately 1.7 million gallons of water per day
• Stable conditions year-round, regardless of season or weather

This naturally regulated warmth is what has drawn visitors to the pools for centuries.

What to Know Before You Go

• Location: Warm Springs, Virginia
• Driving time: Approximately 10–15 minutes from Vine Cottage Inn in Hot Springs
• Arrival: Guests are asked to arrive 15 minutes prior to their scheduled soak time
• Soak duration: 50 minutes per session
• Reservations are required year-round and can be made by calling 540-839-3860 or by booking directly through the Omni Homestead Resort website.

Pricing

• $35 per person — Monday through Thursday
• $40 per person — Friday through Sunday and major holidays

Pool Etiquette & Atmosphere

The Warm Springs Pools are intended to be a quiet, restorative experience. Guests are asked to:

• Be mindful of others and keep noise to a minimum
• Limit conversation while soaking
• Avoid cell phone use and photography, which are discouraged in the soaking areas

This calm, respectful atmosphere is a large part of what makes the experience so special—particularly during the off season.

Amenities & Pool Details

The facilities provide everything needed for a comfortable soak, including:

• Towels
• Private changing rooms
• Pool noodles for relaxing in the water

Pool depths vary by location:

• Gentlemen’s Pool: approximately 6 feet deep
• Ladies’ Pool: approximately 5 feet deep

Guests should be comfortable in deeper water, particularly in the Gentlemen’s Pool.

An Innkeeper’s Perspective

As innkeepers in Hot Springs, we often hear guests say they wish they had planned more time at the pools—especially during winter visits, when the experience feels quieter and more immersive.

One option many guests choose during the off season is to book two consecutive soaking sessions. Scheduling back-to-back 50-minute sessions allows for a longer, uninterrupted soak without having to leave the pool in between. This approach works particularly well in winter, when guests are looking for a slower, more restorative experience.

Guests considering this option should plan ahead and reserve both sessions in advance to ensure availability.

Sound Bath Experience

At certain times of year, the Warm Springs Pools also offer a sound bath experience, incorporating elements such as chimes, gongs, and singing bowls to enhance relaxation.
This offering is seasonal and appears to be closed for the current season.

Staying Near the Warm Springs Pools

Since 1905, Vine Cottage Inn has welcomed travelers coming to Bath County to “take the waters” at the Warm Springs Pools and nearby Hot Springs.

Whether you’re planning a single overnight escape or a longer restorative stay, the pools pair naturally with a quiet, historic inn just minutes away.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Vine Cottage Inn within walking distance of the Warm Springs Pools?
No. The pools are located approximately five miles away and require a short drive.

Are the Warm Springs Pools open in winter?
Yes. The pools are open year-round and are especially popular during the winter months due to lighter crowds.

Can I book more than one soaking session in a day?
Yes. Some guests—particularly in winter—choose to book back-to-back sessions for a longer, uninterrupted soak.

Is the soaking experience meant to be social?
The pools are designed to be calm and restorative. Conversation is allowed, but guests are encouraged to keep noise to a minimum and be mindful of others.

Do I need reservations in the off season?
Yes. Reservations are required year-round, even during quieter winter months.

Are the Warm Springs Pools part of the Omni Homestead Resort?
They are operated by Omni Homestead Resort but are open to the public with advance reservations.